Category: Frugal Living Tips

Are you planning to remodel your kitchen but you don’t have a huge budget?

It is possible to transform your kitchen and do it at a fraction of the cost. Achieve that perfect kitchen by sprucing up what you have and spending where it counts.

For a remodel on a budget, these thrifty tips will transform your kitchen.

Remodel on a Budget: Make a Plan and Stick to It

Before you dive into your remodel, make sure you have a plan to follow. Having a plan keeps you on track and prevents you from overspending.

It is possible to have a remodeled kitchen on a budget. First, ask yourself some questions before you begin.

Does Your Kitchen Have Elements You Want to Keep?

Certain elements of older homes have character. Embrace the historical integrity of your home to create a unique space that buyers will love.

Your kitchen might be dated, but if you have features like an exposed brick wall or wooden beams, keep them! Worka round that element and focus on updating the rest of the space.

How Big Is Your Budget?

Before you start a major project like a remodel, decide on your budget. This is important if you don’t have a lot to spend, as it will keep you focused.

You don’t need a massive budget to remodel your kitchen. You can break up tasks and complete them over time and make small changes between projects.

How Much Do You Have for a Contingency Budget?

A contingency budget is money set aside for unexpected costs during remodeling. Think of this money as your insurance.

Set aside roughly 10-20 percent of your budget for this. If you’re lucky enough not to need it, your remodel comes in under budget and you save even more.

Give Cabinets New Life with Paint

You never want to cut corners when you’re redoing your home, so how do you save money? Remodeling on a budget is possible as long as you know how to give your old space a fresh, new look.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to change the look of your cabinets. As long as your cabinets are in good shape, cabinet painting is a good option to brighten up the room.

White is a popular choice since it brings light into the room. This is a great color for kitchens that have a window providing natural sunlight.

Remember to remove the doors and hinges before you paint your cabinets. You also want to remove everything from your drawers before pulling them out to paint.

Install New Hardware on Old Cabinets

After you paint your cabinets, make them pop with the right hardware. Depending on the style of your kitchen, you might go for stainless steel or burnished bronze.

You also have the choice between knobs, handles, or pulls. It’s fun to pick a unique and unusual design, but remember that it may not suit future buyers.

Not sure where to start with so many options? Find out which hardware style fits your kitchen best for some ideas. Next, look online for discounts on hardware before you visit the home improvement store.

Don’t Move the Appliances

It might be tempting to move the sink closer to the dishwasher or the gas stove to the other wall. But for an inexpensive kitchen remodel, try to leave them where they are.

If you have to make a change, consider your budget and make sure your contingency can cover any big expenses. Remember that spending a large chunk of money rerouting the pipes means you have less to spend elsewhere.

Use Remnant Stone for Countertops

Do you love the look of granite countertops but can’t fit them in your budget? Going to a supply yard and asking for remnant stone is a cheap way to get beautiful stone countertops.

If you’re flexible on the look, you can replace old countertops with granite or quartz at a fraction of the cost. While you have to be a bit open about veining and color, this is a great way to get a high-end look for a budget price.

This is usually best for small kitchens since remnant slabs are leftovers and tend to be smaller in size. If you’re lucky, you can get a large slab for a longer countertop as long as you’re open to certain colors or styles.

Tight Budget? Go for Luxury Vinyl Floors

Vinyl is an inexpensive way to update old and tired floors. Both vinyl and laminate are good choices for budget remodels, but vinyl has more moisture resistance. This makes it an ideal choice for kitchen and bath remodeling.

And while vinyl used to look cheap and plastic, newer styles mimic the look of wood or tile at a fraction of the cost. Some vinyl designs even have the ridges and texture of wood planks.

Sheet vinyl is cheapest, although you may need it professionally installed for the best look. Vinyl planks are easier to do yourself, so remember this if you can’t afford a professional installation.

Buy Unstained Furniture

When decorating your kitchen after the remodel, buy unstained and unvarnished furniture. Kitchen tables, chairs, and bar stools can cost a fortune. But if you’re willing to buy unfinished furniture and put in the work yourself, you can save big.

Not only are these pieces cheaper, but you can pick the stain or paint color that matches your kitchen. You can also sand and re-stain your current furniture if it still looks good.

Spending too much time on social media more than doubles a young person’s risk of developing issues with their body image.

Poor body image is a causal risk factor for eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. People of all ages have never been more susceptible to these illnesses than they are today. Between 1999 and 2009, the number of annual hospitalizations for eating disorders went up by 24%.

If you have a son or daughter suffering from one of the many childhood eating disorders, what can you do to help them recover? How can you alter your own behavior to make a positive impact on their life?

Read on to find out what steps you, as a loving mom, can take to help your little one overcome their eating disorder.

1. Sit Down and Talk

Before you attempt to discuss the issue with your child, conduct online research to learn everything you can about the subject.

Avoid doing the following during your conversation:

Mentioning weight or physical appearances

Accusing them of any wrongdoing

Turning the discussion into a debate

Suggesting easy fixes

Demonstrate to them that you’re willing to listen and support them in any way possible. Find fearless faith as a mom and practice patience, especially when things get frustrating. Remember that your little one suffers from a serious illness, so you need to show them compassion.

When you speak, start your sentences with “I”, not “you”, letting them know how worried you feel. Steer the conversation towards a discussion about how their behavior impacts their health. Ask if they want to change.

Prepare to encounter some pushback from them, and consider that you may have to try again later.

To make your job easier, talk to your child when they don’t have anything else on their schedule. Additionally, opt for a noise-free area with little to no distractions.

2. Love Your Own Body

Although you may not think it’s a big deal, the way you talk about your own body affects the way your child sees theirs. In fact, a child between the ages of five and eight is more likely to have negative opinions about their body if their mother isn’t satisfied with hers.

Realize that you’re not the blame for your son’s or daughter’s suffering. That said, by learning how your behavior impacts your child’s, you can make necessary changes.

For example, be careful what you say about your figure around your kids, even if it’s a self-deprecating joke.

3. Explore Treatment Options

Are you confident that you can resolve everything on your own? Delaying a visit to the doctor may result in long-term, irreparable damage to your kid’s health.

For example, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder can lead to low bone density and delayed puberty. Binge eating disorder, on the other hand, can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

It’s important to keep in mind that treatment centers like Center for Discovery offer adolescent and teen treatment programs for everything from eating disorders to oppositional defiant disorder.

Going to a dietician might be a good idea if you want to put together a diet for healthy weight gain. Also, therapists can help address the root of your child’s problem.

Overcoming Childhood Eating Disorders Together

Helping your child starts with educating yourself on the subject, engaging in active listening, and being the best role model you can be.

However, the most important thing you need to do is get them the right treatment. Take action instead of hoping that they’ll get better on their own.

Now that you know how to approach childhood eating disorders, want more actionable parenting tips? If so, head over to our family life blog to learn about topics such as helping a child cope with divorce or dealing with toddler sleep problems.

That’s money that could be going towards groceries, bills, or home repairs. But instead, it gets poured into your gas tank and sucked out into the environment.

To save more money on gas, there are a few things you can do to better your fuel economy. It’s as easy as perfecting your own driving technique and planning for the road ahead.

Read on for some smart tips on how to save fuel while driving.

Perfect the Stop and Go Technique

Learning the right stop and go technique is a must for how to save gas. When you approach red lights and stop signs try coasting to a complete stop.

This means no slamming on the brakes at the last minute. Avoid this by leaving a safe distance between yourself and the car ahead of you. It also pays to stay alert.

This way you won’t have to press your brakes as much. Without hard stops, you can conserve more energy and use less gas.

Green Means Go…But Don’t Go Too Slow

When accelerating after a stop, it’s best not to do so in such slow motion. This is because lower gears take more gas to power through. When getting back up to speed a quicker upshift allows you to conserve more fuel.

Going too slow can cause your vehicle to take longer to shift gears. Resulting in more gas usage.

Take note that this doesn’t mean slamming your foot on the accelerator though. As accelerating too quickly can also use up gas. So go for a steady pace when pushing the pedal.

Stay Steady as You Go

You may have the need for speed, but it’s not going to help you save on gas. It’s best to control your speed to conserve fuel.

Do this by using your vehicle’s cruise control feature on the main highways. You can also give a slight drop in speed when going uphill. Yet, be sure to do this without annoying other drivers around you.

It also helps to keep an eye on traffic patterns. Take in your surroundings so you can plan for slowdowns.

When you maintain a steady speed it’s also easier to coast to a stop. Rather than slamming on the breaks.

Need another reason to not speed? Once you go over 60 mph, your gas mileage with start to drop. This could raise your price per gallon by about 24 cents.

Going over the limit will also rack up quite a few expensive speeding tickets. Not to mention points on your license.

Pair Your AC with your MPH

Yes, using your car’s air conditioner in the summer eats up gas. Making it a smart idea to keep the windows down when driving through town. It lets in fresh air and makes your car more fuel efficient.

Yet, having the windows down at fast speeds can give you better mpg. Anything faster than 60 miles per hour is going to create more aerodynamic drag. It’s also more comfortable as it creates less of a wind funnel.

Consider Carpooling

Starting a carpool is a great way to get better about the driving green lifestyle. A single car gives off an average of 4.6 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year. So carpooling is better for the environment, traffic, and cuts down on weekly fuel costs.

Carpools can be helpful for commuting to work or picking up the kids from daycare. Share rides with work colleagues or friends who work at nearby locations. This way you can each take turns being the driver and cut down on fuel costs for everyone.

You can even check apps and online carpooling resources in your area. Such as Rideshare and Share the Ride. The popular Waze app now even offers a ride-sharing feature.

Certain companies are even jumping on the remote workforce bandwagon. Allowing some employees to work from home every now and then to cut down on the environmental impact.

Invest in the Future

A new car is a big investment but can save you money in the long run. Certain newer models offer excellent gas mileage.

With hybrid vehicles saving you over $3,000 per year on gas. They also offer gas-electric or plug-in models.

Looking for fast cars with good mpg? Then you may want to check out the Volkswagon golf or BMW 535d. They range from 34 to 38 mpg and pack serious power.

A fuel consumption display is another feature of newer cars. This helps you to track how much fuel you’re using to better your mileage.

For other ways on how to save fuel, you can look into vehicle upgrades for better performance. This includes performance parts like exhaust systems and cold air intakes. This is especially important for high-performance vehicles, like trying to increase Corvette horsepower.

It also helps to replace vehicle air filters on a regular basis. This gives you better air circulation for your engine, improving efficiency.

More Smart and Simple Tips for How to Save Fuel

There’s also a lot you can do to save on gas that doesn’t involve your driving technique. These small changes will help make a big impact on fuel efficiency.

Start Your Engine

Always let your engine warm up before taking a drive. As the right temperature provides more energy-efficient conditions for your car. This is especially important during the winter months.

Your engine will also stay warm for about 30 minutes after you shut your car off. So consider being efficient with your time when running errands.

Don’t Idle

Try not to keep your vehicle from idling too long when you can. This still burns gas even when you’re not going anywhere but the engine is on. When idling, it’s better to shut your car off then restart it.

This isn’t ideal in every driving situation. But can make a big difference when done as much as possible.

Rethink Your Cargo

Take a look at what’s inside your trunk. It helps to remove heavy items that are not necessary for your trip.

This includes baby strollers, sporting gear, and bags of soil. As well as those jumbo-sized cat litter containers or bags of dog food.

The same goes for what sits on top of your vehicle. As bike and cargo racks can add some serious weight to your ride.

They create wind resistance which eats up more fuel. Especially when driving on the highway.

Keep Track of Tire Pressure

Deflated tires will use up more fuel. They also make it harder to handle your vehicle. Making for an uncomfortable and more expensive ride.

Temperature plays a big roll in affecting tire pressure. So, be sure to check pressure levels every other week or so. Some newer car models will even do this for you.

Poor tire pressure can also wreak havoc on your tires. Meaning you’ll need to buy new ones sooner than later.

It can also be unsafe to ignore tire pressure and other vehicle maintenance items. Here are some tips on staying safe during your road travels.

Plan Your Trips in Advance

Planning out your trips can help you save a lot on gas. It pays to combine your chores in one trip. Hitting the grocery store, dry cleaners, and daycare all in one shot.

Make an errand day part of your new money-saving routine. But be sure to run these errands outside of rush hour.

Determine how much gas to drive during your weekly errands. This will help you to start budgeting better.

Sometimes it helps to plan the scenic route. This alternate route won’t send you through major city areas that get clogged with stop and go traffic.

Go High Tech

Do your research on new apps that can help you find the lowest gas prices in the area. Like GasBuddy, Waze, and Gas Guru. All these are free to use.

It helps to pay attention to local traffic alerts in your area. So you can avoid construction slowdowns and accidents. Many apps will help you reroute your destination in these situations.

Pay Attention to What You Put in Your Tank

Premium gas may get recommended by your car manufacturer. But that does not mean it is always required. Most car models can use regular priced gas without much difference in performance.

Yet, you may also want to consider more natural fuel sources. Cleaner fuel can produce 80% fewer emissions than regular gasoline.

Seek an Alternate Form of Transportation

It never hurts to check out what public transportation options you have in your area. Taking the train or bus can even give you more time to get work done during your commute.

Consider the health benefits of foot traveling vs driving. Riding a bike or walking allows you to get in more exercise. Making it a much better option for your own health.

Granted this may not be ideal during the winter. Yet, it helps to take full advantage of aerobic activity during the warmer months.

More Big Savings Among the Auto Industry

These tips will teach you how to save fuel and spend way less money on gas. You’ll also experience better performance and longer-lasting vehicle parts.

Looking for other ways to save big in the auto industry? Check out these tips on how to save more money on car insurance.

Is fish your favorite dish? Or maybe you’re just looking to add more nutrient-dense, healthy recipes to your weekly repertoire? And though the average American is eating about 15 pounds of fish each year, which is up from recent years, it’s still only about half of the recommended by the U.S. dietary guidelines.

If you’re looking to add more fish to your diet but aren’t sure how to do it without spending a lot, check out this guide on how to get cheap fish or make expensive fish fit your lifestyle:

Resist the Rare Fish and Opt for Cheap Fish

It might come as a surprise to discover that endangered fish don’t get the attention and protection that endangered mammals do. Because of this, there are some fish that are rare and still regularly consumed across the world. These fish are often expensive because of their rarity.

Some of these expensive fish include orange roughy, haddock, Atlantic halibut, Atlantic cod, bluefin tuna, and sea bass to name a few.

So save the fish and save your pocketbook by avoiding these rare fish when you dine.

Look for Short-Lived Breeds

Fish that grow fast and are smaller in size can replenish more quickly than other types of fish. Fish that are lower on the food chain are affordable and eating them is better for your health since they are less likely to have high levels of mercury in their systems.

Mix Your Seafood Portions With Hearty Dishes

Your seafood will stretch farther when you mix it with other dishes to make the meal seem less skimpy while sticking within your budget. Instead of having a large portion of wild salmon, look for recipes that include fish in smaller quantities.

Pasta dishes with seafood sauce make for a filling, satisfying meal. Soups are also a great option for enjoying a seafood meal without the hefty price tag. Salads can be served up with nuts, vegetables, and a fillet of fish with a delicious dressing.

Mixing fish with rice and vegetables is another way to get the fish you crave with a budget in mind. Try this recipe for a hearty meal that will feed a group.

Embrace Smaller Portions

If you love seafood but can’t afford eating it regularly, you can look for cheap fish items whenever possible and opt for smaller portions of the pieces you crave. You can always mix your protein choices and combine other types of meat or sides with your seafood.

Shop for Sales

Shop around for sales on seafood to find deals that are significantly cheaper than normal. Some sales are better than others, but as you look around at the different markets and stores in your area, you’ll get a sense for when they have seafood specials.

Asian markets can be a great place to find deals on seafood. Some of them are better than others, so don’t be discouraged if the first one you visit doesn’t have a wide selection of fish.

Discover Other Affordable Recipes

Find lots of other tips for eating well on a budget by browsing through some of our recipes for cheap fish, affordable, homemade ice cream, and so much more.

And be sure to check out all of our other articles for living frugally.

College enrollment is on the decline in the United States, and it has been for the last several years. Kids used to spend years looking forward to going to college. That doesn’t seem to be the case any longer, though.

Is your teen unmotivated to go to college? Are they resisting your pleas to fill out applications or look for scholarships?

As your kids get older, it can be harder to convince them to do certain things. But, it’s not impossible.

Here are ten tips that will help you motivate your teen as they go through the process of getting ready for college.

1. Talk to Them About What They Want

This might seem obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many parents skip this step. If your teen is unmotivated or uninterested in going to college, sit down with them and find out why.

Have an open, honest discussion and don’t try to change their mind. Just listen and find out what they want to do instead.

Maybe they don’t want to go to college because they want to pursue a trade or certification instead of a traditional degree. Or, maybe they want to take a year off before they dive into college life. They might also be insecure about their grades or ability to keep up with college-level coursework.

Opening up communication channels can help you see where your teen is coming from. Then, you can take steps to help them accomplish their goals or get on the right track.

2. Communicate with Their Teachers

If your child’s grades are slipping and they seem as though they might have a hard time getting accepted to college, communicate with their teachers.

Find out what they can do to get their grades up, and find out if their behavior in class has changed recently.

Communicating with their teachers can also help you learn new ways to motivate your teen and encourage them to pursue a college education.

3. Get Involved in Their Test Prep

If your child is interested in going to college but isn’t confident in their ability to pass the entrance exams, they might feign disinterest as a type of defense mechanism.

Look for ways to help your teen prepare for their entrance exams — hire a tutor, invest in some test prep books, or borrow some from the library. You can also check out this post to help your teen decide which exams they ought to take.

4. Don’t Make Excuses

It’s okay if your teen doesn’t want to go to college. It’s not okay for them to slack off and quit trying altogether.

Don’t make excuses for their behavior. Let them know what you expect from them and explain that there will be consequences if they don’t meet your expectations.

This isn’t always easy, especially when you’re dealing with a moody teenager. But, remember that you’re the parent. You get the final say.

5. Take Them on a College Tour

Sometimes, teens are unmotivated to go to college because they don’t really know what to expect from it.

Consider taking your teen on a college tour so they can get a feel for what campus life is like. They might return from the tour with a new desire to pursue a degree.

6. Praise Them When They Do Something Well

Your teen might be unmotivated because they think no one notices whether they do something well or not.

Make sure you’re praising your teen when they do something well, whether it’s achieving a high score on a test or performing well in their favorite sport or activity.

If your teen feels that you’re proud of them and impressed with their work, they might be more inclined to try harder in other aspects of their life.

7. Talk Up College Whenever You Can

Be sure to talk up the positive aspects of college for your teen. From the increased independence to a free Amazon Prime membership, there are a lot of benefits that come with being a college student.

Try not to be overbearing — you don’t need to work the benefits of college into every single conversation — but make sure your teen realizes what they’ll miss out on if they don’t go to college.

8. Help Them Set Achievable Goals

If this is the case for your teen, work with them to help them set small, achievable goals. Maybe they’ll start by just trying to raise all their grades up to a C or better. Then, they can move on to preparing for their entrance exams.

9. Give Them a Dose of Reality

Your teen might be under the impression that, if they don’t go to college, they’ll still get to live rent-free at your house and play video games all day while they continue eating the groceries you buy.

Make it clear to your teen that, if they don’t go to college, this will not be their reality.

Let them know that they’ll need to get a job and be expected to help out around the house. This reality check might be just what your teen needs to see why they should seek out a college degree.

10. Don’t Give Up

Finally, remember to never give up on your teen.

Some teens need more motivation and encouragement than others. Sometimes, they need to take a year off and work a minimum wage job to understand why a college degree is valuable.

Be patient and let your teen learn for themselves. It may take longer than you planned, but they’ll get themselves on the right track eventually.

Does Your Teen Need More Help Getting Ready for College?

When your teen is unmotived or uninterested in higher education, it’s easy to feel helpless.

Remember, though, that there’s a lot you can do to help your teen as they start getting ready for college. Keep these tips in mind and they’ll help your teen get and stay motivated.

On March 9th, 1918, the United States Congress enacted the very first daylight saving time law. Also known as “Summer Time” in many places around the world, daylight saving time (DST) has been a topic of debate since the very beginning.

While many around the world argue the positives of DST, there is great controversy surrounding it.

One of the biggest reasons for this controversy: The DST health effects on individuals.

3. It’s Harder to Wake and Fall Asleep

One of the more obvious DST health impacts is the influence it has on your body’s internal clock. This clock is also known as your circadian rhythm.

All cells in your body have their own rhythm.

If sudden changes related to time, like DST, extended travel, or jet lag occur, your body’s normal functions can be affected.

This means it can become harder for you to fall asleep at night. You may also struggle to feel refreshed and wake up in the morning.

4. Increase in Strokes

Did you know that daylight saving time is also associated with an increased number of stroke-related hospitalizations?

Sadly, it’s true. Patients hospitalized for stroke increase directly following the time change.

Oddly enough, the time changes tend to cause more strokes in women than men. Reports show an 8% rise in stroke-related hospital visits in the 2 days after the change.

People older than 65 years and cancer patients are also known to have higher risks of stroke directly following the changes.

5. More Wasted Time

Ever heard of “cyberloafing”?

This may be one of the more unusual DST health effects. Interestingly, the Journal of Applied Psychology states that what is known as “cyberloafing” increases soon after daylight saving time.

This means people tend to spend more unproductive time online while at work.

The problem with this is obvious. Following a time change, productivity, efficiency, and honesty decrease at work.

Not to mention the potential for angering your boss rises. Nobody wants that…

6. The Elderly are More Affected

The New England Journal of Medicine published several studies on the negative health impacts of DST.

One study indicates that DST health problems are more likely to happen in people over 65 years old.

This might be from a lack of sleep or a number of other factors. Either way, daylight savings is known to be slightly harder for those nearing retirement age.

7. Poor Diet and Increased Appetite

Sleep is widely known to greatly influence the hormones in your body.

Americans cut out an average of 40 minutes of sleep during DST. This means you’re bound to have some hormone changes.

Unfortunately, changes in hormones can also lead to increased cravings and appetite.

This means weight gain. A lack of sleep also leads to increases in insulin resistance.

In layman’s terms, that means your body stores more fat. Yikes.

8. A Rise in Male Suicide Rates

The Sleep and Biological Rhythms Journal published an Australian study showing a correlation between a rise in men’s suicide rates and spring daylight saving time.

The researchers in the study suggest that this correlation is because of hormone changes in people already vulnerable to depression. Those already struggling with depression who have their biological rhythms being thrown off are at greatest risk.

This resource and others aim to put an end to these and other negative DST health effects by ending daylight saving time.

9. An Increase in Headaches

Headaches are also shown to increase after daylight saving time. This is likely related to less sleep, at least in part.

But that’s not all. Not only do headaches increase following daylight saving, but they are also known to happen closer together. This is called “cluster headaches.”

These painful episodes can leave already tired people even more exhausted as they struggle even more to fall asleep.

Lack of sleep and increased headaches can also lead to memory problems. Luckily, there are ways to help boost your memory despite the lack of sleep.

10. Higher Miscarriage Rates

This sad DST health effect is only known to be related to the time change in the spring.

Boston University Medical Center published a study on miscarriage rates right after DST. It showed many more miscarriages in the three weeks after daylight saving time.

However, these miscarriages were more common for women who had undergone invitro-fertilization or experienced a previous miscarriage.

This study, (which was published in Chronobiology International), showed no difference in the number of miscarriages after the time change in the fall.

DST Health Helps

Ways to beat DST health problems include being sure to hit the hay an extra hour early during the notorious “spring forward” season. Using a good skin treatment can also help with that “exhausted” look.

At the end of the day, knowing your own personal limits can be the biggest help when it comes to sleep deprivation.

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So, you want to know more about me, the lady behind Thrifty Momma Ramblings. I started this site more than 6 years ago. My name is Bonnie. I am also Thrifty and a Momma plus I LOVE to ramble on about saving money!